In what I consider another encouraging step in the right direction link The Justice Department announced today that the National Security Agency's controversial warrantless surveillance program has been placed under the authority of a secret surveillance court, marking an abrupt change in approach by the Bush administration after more than a year of heated debate... … [Read more...] about Wiretaps moved to Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court
Who’s winning the Battle of the Blogosphere?
Over at The Reaction, Heraclitus looks at the ongoing war of words between Taylor Marsh and Debbie Schlussel and wonders whether the left-wing blogosphere is beating the right-wing blogosphere in terms of both quality and influence. At least in terms of the former, he argues, the left is winning. Now, Heraclitus's post is sure to annoy many of you in many ways. TMV is … [Read more...] about Who’s winning the Battle of the Blogosphere?
Mullah Omar ‘Hiding In Pakistan’
Here is some more startling news that is likely to create a storm. Taleban leader Mullah Omar is living in Pakistan under the protection of its ISI intelligence agency, a captured Taleban spokesman has said, according to the BBC. "The spokesman, Muhammad Hanif, made the apparent confession to Afghan agents who videotaped the questioning. "Mr Hanif is seen sitting in a … [Read more...] about Mullah Omar ‘Hiding In Pakistan’
Robert Gates Has A Close Look At Pak Border
President Pervez Musharraf is again under pressure with top American defense/security officials alleging infiltration of Taliban radicals into Afghanistan from Pakistan. Afghan President Hamid Karzai has been repeatedly making the same accusations. In a recent Senate hearing US National Intelligence Director (NID) John Negroponte was blunt: "Al Qaeda has found 'a secure … [Read more...] about Robert Gates Has A Close Look At Pak Border
The State Of The World: Doomsday Clock Set Closer To The End
With increasing signs that global warming is is kicking in plus the growing terrorist threat -- and "nukes" falling in hands of terrorist groups and finger-itchy "rougue" nations -- the outlook for humanity is a bit more bleak. How much? This much:The Nobel laureate scientist Stephen Hawking today warned that the world is on the brink of a second nuclear age and a period of … [Read more...] about The State Of The World: Doomsday Clock Set Closer To The End
The massacre at Mustansiriya
("Just another day in the life and death of Iraq XXXI" at The Reaction.)Â Yesterday, as reported by the Post, it was Mustansiriya University: The coordinated detonation of two bombs during the after-school rush at a Baghdad university killed at least 60 people Tuesday and wounded more than 140 in what university officials described as one of the deadliest attacks on … [Read more...] about The massacre at Mustansiriya
A War Without Sacrifice. Or End.
The Iraqi war is the first in my memory when I and my fellow countrymen have not been asked to make sacrifices. No tax increase to fund the military. No belt tightening. Merely platitudes about making sacrifices while the war's true impact is sanitized, the death toll ticks upward and the budget deficit quietly grows. Nevertheless, the following exchange between Jim … [Read more...] about A War Without Sacrifice. Or End.
Hagel joins anti-surge movement in Senate
From the Times (via The Left Coaster): Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, an outspoken Republican critic of the administration's Iraq policy, will join two leading Democrats in introducing a resolution opposing President Bush's buildup of troops in Iraq, putting a bipartisan stamp on the looming Congressional showdown over the war. This is big. Though a renegade who has … [Read more...] about Hagel joins anti-surge movement in Senate
Lebanon Ghost Haunts Israeli Government
The chief of Israel’s armed forces has resigned over the conduct of last year’s Lebanon war, generating further pressure on the political leadership that oversaw the conflict, reports The Financial Times. "The departure of Lieutenant-General Dan Halutz, 58, late on Tuesday, followed an internal inquiry pointed to his responsibility in a conflict in which Israel failed to … [Read more...] about Lebanon Ghost Haunts Israeli Government
Obama prepares presidential run
Here's WaPo: "Illinois Sen. Barack Obama (D), one of the Democratic Party's brightest young stars, jumped into the 2008 race for the White House [yesterday], establishing a presidential exploratory committee that is expected to lead immediately into a full-blown campaign for president." A bright young star indeed. I like Obama, don't get me wrong. He may very well be the … [Read more...] about Obama prepares presidential run
Belly Up
From Cox & Forkum: … [Read more...] about Belly Up
Bi-Partisan Senate Earmark Reform
Earmark Reform The Senate voted Tuesday to shine more light on thousands of expensive pet projects buried in legislation every year after the new Democratic majority bowed to a successful push by Republicans to make new disclosure rules even tougher than originally planned. The vote was 98-0 to require senators to reveal the water projects, hiking trails, defense … [Read more...] about Bi-Partisan Senate Earmark Reform
The Imperial Bush Presidency: An Update
As it enters its seventh year, the imperial presidency of George W. Bush has perfected the practice of going around the Constitution when that pesky document gets in its way. It burnishes its powers through signing statements, secret executive orders and by simply ignoring court rulings. It pisses on the Geneva Convention despite the concerns of the military's top … [Read more...] about The Imperial Bush Presidency: An Update
Center Of Attention
(Note: TMV Assistant Editor Michael van der Galien normallt does this post but since he can't yours truly is filling in.) Winds of Change's Joe Katzman reports on Yemen making a coastal defense upgrade with radars. The idea: to combat piracy and smuggling. There's a GREAT SELECTION of political tidbits (must read) over at Politopics. Intel Dump's Phil Carter on his … [Read more...] about Center Of Attention
Its Trump Versus Rosie
Saturday Night Live style: … [Read more...] about Its Trump Versus Rosie
Israel-Syria Held Secret Talks for Two Years on Peace Deal
Sorry to post so much today but this was too tasty to wait Haaretz In a series of apparently "unofficial" secret meetings in Europe between September 2004 and July 2006, Syrians and Israelis formulated understandings for a peace agreement between Israel and Syria. It is most striking how far along and comprehensive the agreement reached before talks were apparently … [Read more...] about Israel-Syria Held Secret Talks for Two Years on Peace Deal
Newt as a One Person Think Tank
Newt Gingrich is one of my favorite conservatives because he is relatively open minded to pragmatic ideas regardless of the source. As you read his list, could not most of his proposals come from moderates and even progressives? It would be wise for the Democrats to find a way to include Newt as part of the process of crafting policy able to draw bi-partisan support. It would … [Read more...] about Newt as a One Person Think Tank
Coequal Branches of Government
I'm not a Constitutional attorney, and thus can't say for certain that this analysis -- from two "Washington lawyers who served in the Justice Department during the administrations of Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush" -- is fair, accurate, and representative of the facts. Regardless, it's a fascinating (and for many, I'm sure, frustrating) examination of the Constitutional … [Read more...] about Coequal Branches of Government
Flat-earth Republicanism
According to The Wichita Eagle, presidential hopeful and religious conservative Sam Brownback has added support for the flat tax to his platform, making it "a fiscal policy cornerstone" of his campaign for '08. I'm sure it's the Christian position to take. 1 Timothy 6:10: "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from … [Read more...] about Flat-earth Republicanism
One More Take
Yesterday, the Web was filled with myriad memories of and tributes to Dr. King. After reading several of them, I was compelled to spend time last night evaluating the great civil rights leader's impact on my life and family. At the encouragement of others, I'm sharing the results of that intro/extrospection, trusting that one more take is not one take too many or too late. … [Read more...] about One More Take